Socio-demographics, Oral Health Behavior, and Physical Activity: Factors in Caries Experience Among 19–59 Years Old Adults in a Malaysian Population

Dental caries is one of the common diseases that are attributed by many factors. Many from the adult population are afflicted with dental caries. This study aimed to determine the predictors of developing dental caries among adults. Three hundred and thirty four adults participated in this study. Information gathered includes their socio-demographic backgrounds, oral health behaviour, physical activity level, body mass index, body fat percentages, visceral fat level, and dental missing filled extracted teeth (DMFX) index. All standard protocols were observed and DMFX was examined using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Prevalence of dental caries was 87.4%, inclusive of 61.3% of female respondents with caries experience. Most of the study participants were overweight. Only the consumption of high sugar food (p=0.03) was found to be connected between dental caries and oral health behaviours. Regression analysis (p<0.001) showed that older age (p<0.001), regular visits to dental clinic per year (p=0.012), lower education level (p=0.025), and lower physical activity (p=0.008) were significant factors in developing dental caries among this study population. Older aged adults, frequent appointment with the dentist, lower education in oral health, and lower physical activity were possible factors for dental caries presence

Economics of Pulse Cultivation in Punjab

This study is an empirical analysis of economics of pulse cultivation in Bathinda and Fazilka districts of Punjab state situated in North West part of India. On the basis of gross return which is the best indicator of profitability, the results of the study shows that although pulse cultivation has been observed to be somewhat profitable in both Bathinda and Fazilka district but it lacks assured returns due to lack of government procurement as well as low and unstable productivity unlike cereal crops which are enjoying assured returns. Thus, in order to make pulse cultivation remunerative in sampled districts, it is recommended that the government should provide high yielding varieties of seeds at the subsidized rates to increase the level of productivity. Our research study also brings out the need for assured procurement of pulse crops like wheat and paddy in the state which is lacking presently

Neural Circuitry Underlying Waking Up to Hypercapnia

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep and breathing disorder, in which, patients suffer from cycles of atonia of airway dilator muscles during sleep, resulting in airway collapse, followed by brief arousals that help re-establish the airway patency. These repetitive arousals which can occur hundreds of times during the course of a night are the cause of the sleep-disruption, which in turn causes cognitive impairment as well as cardiovascular and metabolic morbidities. To prevent this potential outcome, it is important to target preventing the arousal from sleep while preserving or augmenting the increase in respiratory drive that reinitiates breathing, but will require understanding of the neural circuits that regulate the cortical and respiratory responses to apnea. The parabrachial nucleus (PB) is located in rostral pons. It receives chemosensory information from medullary nuclei that sense increase in CO2 (hypercapnia), decrease in O2 (hypoxia) and mechanosensory inputs from airway negative pressure during apneas. The PB area also exerts powerful control over cortical arousal and respiration, and therefore, is an excellent candidate for mediating the EEG arousal and restoration of the airway during sleep apneas. Using various genetic tools, we dissected the neuronal sub-types responsible for relaying the stimulus for cortical arousal to forebrain arousal circuits. The present review will focus on the circuitries that regulate waking-up from sleep in response to hypercapnia

Curcumin And Etoricoxib Encapsulated Liposomes: Formulation, Characterization And Anti-Inflammatory Effects In Rat Models

To enhance anti-inflammatory efficacy of Curcumin (CURC) and Etoricoxib (ETRX); and to reduce their notorious side effects, they were loaded into liposomal formulations (LFs). The present study aimed at formulation, characterization and evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects of LFs of CURC in combination with ETRX in experimental acute inflammation (AI) in rat model induced by carrageenan administration. The existing pharmaceuticals for treating arthritis are analgesics, steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce the symptoms such as severe pain and inflammation. Classical NSAIDs are cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors that inhibit prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane synthesis, thereby reducing inflammation. New NSAIDs selectively inhibit COX-2 and are usually specific to inflamed tissue, which decreases the risk of peptic ulcer. However, their long-term use cannot be sustained due to inadequate pain relief, immune disturbances and serious gastrointestinal and cardiovascular adverse events. Therefore, plant-based product like CURC with anti-inflammatory properties and minimum side effects are needed for the treatment of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis, especially after the withdrawal of many Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti- inflammatory drugs. However, its poor solubility, low chemical stability and short half-life following systemic absorption contribute to CURC being considered a pharmaceutical challenge. Numerous delivery systems have been proposed as means to tailor its biological properties. In this research, we are particularly interested in potential of CURC as an anti-inflammatory agent in combination with ETRX and delivery in the form of LFs. ETRX; a NSAID is proposed to treat inflammation in rat model as it is known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects. ETRX, a widely prescribed anti- inflammatory drug belongs to class IΙ under BCS (biopharmaceutical classification system) and exhibit variable oral bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility. This research is aimed to study synergistic effect of a natural compound CURC and an allopathic NSAID moiety ETRX to treat inflammation in rat model, by oral ingestion in the form of LF as an efficient drug delivery system. Hence, we propose LF as a mean to overcome the CURC limitations. Liposomes (LPs) encapsulation of CURC makes this formulation amenable to circumvent the problem of poor oral availability that limits the utility of free CURC. The LFs can potentiate the effects of encapsulated drugs by sustaining the release over an extended period of time. The results of our study demonstrated that the association of CURC with ETRX in the form of LFs could potentiate the anti-inflammatory effects in reduced doses in vitro and in rat model. The LFs were spherical in shape in TEM images at various resolutions. The particle size of optimized CURC-ETRX LPs was found to be 276.1 nm with PDI value of 24.5. The maximum EE for CURC and ETRX in optimized formulation (F2) was found 98.915% and 93.877% respectively. The % EE of CURC-ETRX loaded LFs was found to be dependent on the lipid concentration, resulting almost quantitatively for a maximum 15 mg of total lipids (PC+CL) and progressively decreasing at higher 20 mg of total lipid (PC+CL) content, may be due to precipitation of drugs at higher lipid concentrations. The cumulative percentage release of CURC and ETRX from optimized formulations was found to be 59.64% and 83.11% respectively, for a period of 24 hours. We investigated the in vivo effect of CURC and ETRX loaded LF on local edema in carrageenan-induced paw edema in rat model. The percentage inhibition of edema in rat model was found to be better for CURC-ETRX LF in comparison to conventional CURC and ETRX in solution forms (p<0.05). Hence, the association of CURC and ETRX to a low dose in the form of LFs could be an appropriate combination to decrease NSAID doses used to reduce pain, inflammatory cytokines, and histological changes in AI

Hypocretin-2 Saporin Lesions of the Ventrolateral Periaquaductal Gray (vlPAG) Increase REM Sleep in Hypocretin Knockout Mice

Ten years ago the sleep disorder narcolepsy was linked to the neuropeptide hypocretin (HCRT), also known as orexin. This disorder is characterized by excessive day time sleepiness, inappropriate triggering of rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep and cataplexy, which is a sudden loss of muscle tone during waking. It is still not known how HCRT regulates REM sleep or muscle tone since HCRT neurons are localized only in the lateral hypothalamus while REM sleep and muscle atonia are generated from the brainstem. To identify a potential neuronal circuit, the neurotoxin hypocretin-2-saporin (HCRT2-SAP) was used to lesion neurons in the ventral lateral periaquaductal gray (vlPAG). The first experiment utilized hypocretin knock-out (HCRT-ko) mice with the expectation that deletion of both HCRT and its target neurons would exacerbate narcoleptic symptoms. Indeed, HCRT-ko mice (n = 8) given the neurotoxin HCRT2-SAP (16.5 ng/23nl/sec each side) in the vlPAG had levels of REM sleep and sleep fragmentation that were considerably higher compared to HCRT-ko given saline (+39%; n = 7) or wildtype mice (+177%; n = 9). However, cataplexy attacks did not increase, nor were levels of wake or non-REM sleep changed. Experiment 2 determined the effects in mice where HCRT was present but the downstream target neurons in the vlPAG were deleted by the neurotoxin. This experiment utilized an FVB-transgenic strain of mice where eGFP identifies GABA neurons. We verified this and also determined that eGFP neurons were immunopositive for the HCRT-2 receptor. vlPAG lesions in these mice increased REM sleep (+79% versus saline controls) and it was significantly correlated (r = 0.89) with loss of eGFP neurons. These results identify the vlPAG as one site that loses its inhibitory control over REM sleep, but does not cause cataplexy, as a result of hypocretin deficiency

Enhancing biopharmaceutical performance of an anticancer drug by long chain PUFA based self-nanoemulsifying lipidic nanomicellar system.

The aim of this study was to develop polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) long chain glyceride (LCG) enriched self-nanoemulsifying lipidic nanomicelles systems (SNELS) for augmenting lymphatic uptake and enhancing oral bioavailability of docetaxel and compare its biopharmaceutical performance with a medium-chain fatty acid glyceride (MCG) SNELS. Equilibrium solubility and pseudo ternary phase studies facilitated the selection of suitable LCG and MCG. The critical material attributes (CMAs) and critical process parameters (CPPs) were earmarked using Placket-Burman Design (PBD) and Fractional Factorial Design (FFD) for LCG- and MCG-SNELS respectively, and nano micelles were subsequently optimized using I- and D-optimal designs. Desirability function unearthed the optimized SNELS with Temul 85% and Perm45min >75%. The SNELS demonstrated efficient biocompatibility and energy dependent cellular uptake, reduced P-gp efflux and increased permeability using bi-directional Caco-2 model. Optimal PUFA enriched LCG-SNELS exhibited distinctly superior permeability and absorption parameters during ex vivo permeation, in situ single pass intestinal perfusion, lymphatic uptake and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies over MCG-SNELS. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Picky Eating Behaviour, Feeding Practices, Dietary Habits, Weight Status and Cognitive Function Among School Children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Introduction: Picky eating behaviour was linked to nutritional problems due to limited dietary variety. This study aimed to determine the causes and consequences associated with picky eating behaviour among school-aged children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods: A total of 339 children aged seven to nine years participated in this cross-sectional study. Socio-demographic factors, eating behaviours and child/ parental feeding style were assessed through parent’s questionnaires, while eating habits of children were accessed through child’s questionnaire. Body height and weight were measured; body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Cognitive function level was determined using the Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices test. Results: One third (38%) of the children were picky eaters and consumed lesser vegetables (χ2 =4.49,p=0.034) and fish (χ2 =5.55,p=0.019), but more milk and dairy products (χ2 =3.91,p=0.048), snacks (χ2 =6.25,p=0.012) and fast food (χ2 =7.35,p=0.007) compared to non-picky eaters. Picky eaters were more likely to have normal weight status based on weight-for-age, height-for-age and BMI-for-age compared to non-picky eaters (p<0.05). Picky eaters came from a household with other picky eaters in the family and their parents tend to use an instrumental feeding style. Picky eaters had a poorer cognitive function compared to non-picky eaters (p=0.03). Conclusion: We did not find significant differences in growth parameters between picky and non-picky eaters but picky eaters were more likely to have a poorer cognitive function. As parental feeding styles significantly influenced children’s eating behaviour, interventions should target parents to improve their children’s dietary variety

Socioeconomic status and glycemic index among punjabis in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: possible association with metabolic syndrome

There are only limited reports on Punjabi's health status in Malaysia. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (Mets) and its risk factors among 277 subjects recruited from the Malaysian Punjabi community. Overall prevalence of Mets was 43%, but 61% among females. Subjects classified with Mets had significantly (p < 0.05) higher body mass index, visceral fat and percentage of body fat. Daily carbohydrate and glycemic index (GI) were also higher among Mets subjects (p < 0.05). Logistics regression analysis showed that primary level of education (OR 5.57, CI 1.29-23.97, p = 0.021) was a factor associated with Mets, followed by middle household income (OR 2.30, CI 1.01-5.20, p = 0.046), GI (OR 1.03, CI 1.00-1.06, p = 0.026), and age (OR 1.03, CI 1.00-1.05, p = 0.023). Mets shows high prevalence among the studied Punjabi population, prompting the consideration of adequate preventive measures, primarily among lower socioeconomic groups

Opioids, sleep, analgesia and respiratory depression: Their convergence on Mu (μ)-opioid receptors in the parabrachial area

Opioids provide analgesia, as well as modulate sleep and respiration, all by possibly acting on the μ-opioid receptors (MOR). MOR’s are ubiquitously present throughout the brain, posing a challenge for understanding the precise anatomical substrates that mediate opioid induced respiratory depression (OIRD) that ultimately kills most users. Sleep is a major modulator not only of pain perception, but also for changing the efficacy of opioids as analgesics. Therefore, sleep disturbances are major risk factors for developing opioid overuse, withdrawal, poor treatment response for pain, and addiction relapse. Despite challenges to resolve the neural substrates of respiratory malfunctions during opioid overdose, two main areas, the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC) in the medulla and the parabrachial (PB) complex have been implicated in regulating respiratory depression. More recent studies suggest that it is mediation by the PB that causes OIRD. The PB also act as a major node in the upper brain stem that not only receives input from the chemosensory areas in medulla, but also receives nociceptive information from spinal cord. We have previously shown that the PB neurons play an important role in mediating arousal from sleep in response to hypercapnia by its projections to the forebrain arousal centers, and it may also act as a major relay for the pain stimuli. However, due to heterogeneity of cells in the PB, their precise roles in regulating, sleep, analgesia, and respiratory depression, needs addressing. This review sheds light on interactions between sleep and pain, along with dissecting the elements that adversely affects respiration

A Research Protocol of Hands-On Healthy Meal Preparation Intervention (Kidchen Study) to Improve Children’s Nutritional Outcomes

The objective of this paper is to describe the protocol of a 12-week hands-on healthy meal preparation intervention among children, up to a 3-month follow-up. The aim of KidChen Study (kids in kitchen) is to improve children’s nutritional outcomes. In this randomized-controlled trial, simple random sampling will be used to select schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Subsequently, the selected schools (n=2) will be assigned randomly to either the intervention or control group. The current study will include healthy Malaysian children aged 10–11 years old with no serious disease or food allergy. The intervention is based on Social Cognitive Theory that addresses personal and environmental factors for changing children’s behaviour. Children from the intervention group will receive a 60-minute home food environment module with their parents consisting of nutrition talk, healthy food tasting, parent-child quiz; and five 60 minute interactive hands-on healthy meal preparation modules focusing on core food groups coupled withstorytelling sessions to incorporate nutrition education. Outcome measures are children’s psychosocial factors towards healthy meal preparation (knowledge, attitude, practice, self-efficacy), dietary behaviour, food consumption pattern, home food availability and anthropometric measures (BMI-for-age z-score, body fat percentage, waist circumference). Repeated measures ANOVA will be used to evaluate the intervention outcomes. KidChen Study is an experiential learning approach to instil a positive attitude towards nutrition and empower children with nutrition skills. We anticipate that the intervention will advocate healthy eating behaviour among children, impacting their nutritional outcomes over time